Time once again to hit the road running and visit some wineries. This time it was the Naramata Bench and a quick stop at one of our favourite Okanagan Falls wineries.  The occasion (Is there really a need for an occasion?) this time was a group of friends from the Lower Mainland, Las Vegas and Michigan.  Great opportunity to show our neighbours to the south what we have in this little Shangri-La we call Okanagan Valley.

We met up with everyone at the new Poplar Grove winery.  Having been in the same location for the past 16 years, owners Tony Holler, Ian Sutherland and Barrie Sali have moved the winery to a new, much larger location where it will be able to handle the increase in production that the addition of 110 acres will bring them.

It was also an opportunity to pick up my August allocation from their wine club.  Wine club members are extremely lucky this quarter to be receiving the 2008 Syrah.  In April of this year, the Poplar Grove Syrah 2008 won the only GOLD Medal awarded to a Canadian winery at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in London, England.  A staggering 12,252 wines from 44 countries were tasted during the DWWA. 

Out of the 480 cases produced, 80% has been allocated to the wine club while the remaining 20% went to Vancouver area restaurants.  There will be nothing for retail or at the winery wine shop.  A very good reason to join a wine club. 

Next stop on the “Bench” was La Frenz Winery. Celebrating 12 years on the Naramata bench, owner/winemaker Jeff Martin is commemorating 41 vintages of winemaking, making him one of the most experience winemakers in BC.  While there, we tried the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (crisp, clean orchard/tropical fruit), 2009 Cab Sauv (buckets of ripe black fruit) and the NV Liqueur Muscat (caramel, butterscotch, lychee nut & spicy cinnamon).

One of my favourite wineries is Laughing Stock.  Like La Frenz and Polar Grove, their wines have never disappointed me.  This summer look for the 2010 Blind Trust White, a delicious blend of 60% Pinot Gris, 22% Viognier, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Pinot Blanc and the wickedly luscious 2009 Chardonnay.  For reds, the 2008 Portfolio is one of the finest reds in BC.  A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, it’s loaded with concentrated blackberry, cassis, licorice, chocolate, vanilla and toasty caramel. The texture on the palate is silky smooth, spicy and teeth-staining.

Last stop on the “Bench” was Van Westen Vineyards and the very affable Rob Van Westen.  Rob is one of the most down-to-earth people I know and literally always ready to explain to anyone who will listen what it takes to make great wine.  While all of Rob’s wine were excellent, the standouts were the 2010 Vino Grigio, 2009 Viognier, 2006 and 2007 Voluptuous.  

The Vino Grigio is a 100% Pinot Gris displaying loads of green apple, pear, apricot, peach, nectarine, melon, fresh citrus and grapefruit characteristics. The palate is fresh and lively with crisp tropical and orchard fruit, spicy white pepper and crisp acidity.  The Viognier is laden with rich tropical and orchard fruit, honey, white pepper and refreshing acidity. Try pairing it with mildly spiced curry dishes, entrees with fruit chutneys or fruit salsas or poached Halibut.

The two vintages of Voluptuous are slightly different even though they are exactly the same blend, 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Franc.  While the 2007 is full, rich and intense much like the 2006, the tannin and acidity on the finish is slightly softer than the 2006.  The 2006 still has grip of tannin that is going to allow it to age another 5 years easily.  The tannin on the ’06 is not aggressive but very well structured which is what I would expect for a wine at this stage of its evolution.  I bought a couple of bottles of each and plan to buy more of the ’06 over the coming months.

Our last stop was down the valley to Okanagan Falls and the iconic Blue Mountain Winery.  Started by Jane and Ian Mavety in 1971, for 21 years they supplied the old hybrid grapes and in 1986, premium grapes to commercial wineries.  In 1991, the Mavety’s finally started producing quality wines from their own 100% estate grown vines.  Today, the next generation of Mavety’s, son Matt as winemaker and daughter Christie are posed to continue in the tradition started those many years ago.  Although anyone who knows Jane and Ian even slightly would agree that they will never fully retired.

While there, we stocked up on more of their sparkling non-vintage Brut, 2009 Chardonnay and 2009 Pinot Noir.  Accounting for approximately 40% of their total production, the Brut is a blend of 61% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, and 3% Pinot Gris.  This is a fantastic wine with delicate fine, soft bubbles, fresh on the palate with mouth filling fruit flavour of apricots, pears and figs. The refreshing acidity and long creamy fruit-filled finish makes this perfect on its own or with salmon, prawns, spicy Thai rolls or goat cheese.

The Chardonnay is partially fermented and aged in stainless steel and with the remainder fermented and aged for 8 months in new to 3 year old French oak barrels.

The Chardonnay is partially fermented and aged in stainless steel and with the remainder fermented and aged for 8 months in new to 3 year old French oak barrels.  Displaying rich tropical and orchard fruit such as mango, pineapple and grapefruit with pear and red apple, the flavour mirrors the aroma with its fruit-dominated character with buttery, creamy vanilla and subtle oak finish. Soft and creamy on the palate with refreshingly crisp acidity, this is a perfect wine to serve with chilled lobster or cracked crab.

One of the best Pinot Noirs in BC, this wine is very smooth and round with vibrant black cherry, black plum, hints of toast, and smoke, the texture on the palate is velvety rich with lots of black fruit flavours, licorice, leather and peppery spice layered with smoky and toasty oak flavours.  A supple and smooth BC Pinot Noir, this is excellent to enjoy with lamb or duck.  This Pinot is quite age-able, able to cellar for another 3-5 years.

In Vino Veritas